Thematic Reading List: 10 Essential Graphic Novel Series

While there have been many graphic novels published this year, no graphic novel collection is complete without these graphic novel series. We consider them signature series in the juvenile graphic novel collection. They helped graphic novels gain popularity and even come out of the regular fiction shelves to create a new library collection in many libraries. Whether you decide to shelve graphic novels in a separate collection or within your fiction or nonfiction shelves, our top 10 series are essential for any library serving young graphic novel lovers (ages 7 to 11).
 
 
 
 
 

	Amulet (Amulet series) By: Kazu Kibuishi Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather after the death of their father. The house proves to be dangerous after a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
	Babymouse, Queen of the World (Babymouse Series) By: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm An imaginative mouse dreams of being queen of the world but will settle for an invitation to the most popular girl’s slumber party.
	Bone, Out from Boneville (Bone series) By: Jeff Smith After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins – Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone – are separated and lost in a vast, uncharted desert. One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures. Eventually, the cousins are reunited at a farmstead run by tough Gran’Ma Ben and her spirited granddaughter, Thorn. But little do the Bones know, there are dark forces conspiring against them and their adventures are only just beginning!
	Dog Man (Dog Man series) By: Dav Pilkey Dog Man is a loveable crimefighter who always has a smile on his face. With the head of a dog and the body of a man, he also has a serious mission to fulfill- to keep his community safe from villains and a trouble-making cat named Petey.
	Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute (Lunch Lady series)  By: Jarrett Krosoczka The school lunch lady is a secret crime fighter who uncovers an evil plot to replace all the popular teachers with robots.
	Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (Narwhal and Jelly series) By: Ben Clanton Cheerful Narwhal likes to make friends with other sea creatures, eat waffles, and have parties. Most young readers will know that narwhals don’t really eat waffles, but that is okay. Narwhal makes friends with Jelly, a jellyfish, and in other stories they form their own pod with Shark, Turtle, Blowfish, and Octopus.
	Owly (Owly series)  By: Andy Runton Owly and Wormy enjoy birdwatching and befriend Tiny and Angel, two hummingbirds who come to drink nectar from the flowers that Wormy has planted.
	Science Comics: Dogs- from predator to protector (Science Comics series) By: Andy Hirsch Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic – dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. Various authors contribute to the series. While this is a newer series, it provides a unique way to read nonfiction.
	Smile By: Raina Telgemeier Anyone who has gone through middle school can attest that this is a most complicated time because of both physical and emotional changes. Being an adolescent is just plain hard and this is true even when everything goes right. However, in this autobiographical story there is one massive issue that Raina must deal with that her friends do not and that is losing her two front teeth due to an accident. The follow-up novel is titled Sisters.
	Squish, Super Amoeba (Squish series) By: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, “Super Amoeba,” tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully.